Laguna de Tacarigua National Park

Laguna de Tacarigua is a large shallow coastal lagoon in Miranda, separated from the Caribbean Sea by a natural sand barrier that runs along its entire edge. The water is very shallow on average, and extensive mangrove forests line the banks throughout the protected area.

The park was established in 1974 to protect this coastal lagoon and its surrounding ecosystems. The lagoon itself formed over millions of years through natural geological processes that deposited sediment along the coast.

Fishing families from nearby villages have depended on these waters for generations, and their daily work shapes how the lagoon is used and cared for. Their presence and knowledge of local conditions remain central to the place's character and management.

The park can be accessed through ranger stations and an administrative center that provides visitor information and basic accommodations. Bring sturdy footwear and insect repellent, as the wet terrain and mangrove environment attracts many insects.

The mangrove forests here serve as nurseries where young fish grow before moving to open water, making the area far more productive than it first appears. This hidden role as a marine breeding ground is easy to overlook when walking through, but explains why the ecosystem supports so much activity.